Vermont Laws and Programs

Types of Drugs Used in Vermont

The most common illicit drug used by Vermont citizens age 12 and older is marijuana: a 2005 survey found 9.04 percent reporting marijuana use in the past month and 14.43 percent in the past year. Second most common was nonmedical use of pain relievers (4.85 percent in the past year) followed by cocaine use (2.86 percent in the past year). In 2007, 55 percent of high school seniors in Vermont reported using marijuana at least once in their lifetime (8 percent before age 13) while 34 percent reported using marijuana in the last 30 days. Twenty-two percent reported using a prescription drug for nonmedical purposes in their lifetime, 16 percent reported using hallucinogens at least once, and 12 percent reported inhalant use. Most reported that it was easy or very easy for them to obtain marijuana (69 percent), alcohol (81 percent), and cigarettes (90 percent) illegally.

In 2006 Vermont law enforcement officials reported 2,765 drug violations and 325 drug equipment violations. The most common drugs involved were marijuana (1,768), cocaine (290), other narcotics (180), and crack cocaine (102).

Laws

Possession of less than two ounces of marijuana is a misdemeanor for the first offense, with possible deferred sentencing, and a felony thereafter. Possession of larger amount is a felony, as is cultivation of more than three plants and sale of any amount of marijuana, with additional penalties for selling to a minor, on school grounds, or on a school bus. However, these penalties do not apply in the case of medical use of marijuana (legalized in Vermont in 2007) to alleviate the symptoms or effects of a debilitating medical condition (including cancer, acquired immune deficiency syndrome [AIDS], wasting syndrome, severe pain, severe nausea, and seizures). Patients must apply, with medical verification, to be listed in the Vermont Marijuana Registry; if accepted they have the right to use marijuana for medical purposes.

Vermont laws regulating drugs like cocaine and heroin provide relatively severe penalties. Punishments for possessing cocaine or heroin range from one year of imprisonment and/or a $2,000 fine to 10 years of imprisonment and/or a $250,000 fine. Second offenses double these penalties. Punishments for delivery of cocaine or heroin range from three years to 20 years and/or a $1 million fine, depending on the quantities involved. Finally, trafficking (which involves possessing 300 grams of cocaine, 60 grams of crack cocaine, or 7 grams of heroin) results in up to 30 years of imprisonment and/or a $1 million fine. Possession of lit tobacco products is illegal in the common areas of enclosed indoor public spaces in Vermont, including publicly-owned buildings and offices, restaurants, and bars. Smoking is also banned in most workplaces and government buildings and on public school grounds and in public school functions. The tobacco excise tax is $2.25 for a pack of 20 cigarettes, up from $1.99 in 2009.

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